gaslighted, browbeaten
circumstantial contributors
dispariate of our own worth
appeasing then returning for more
desperate to believe our love will change them
bargaining to love more and heal
yet their violations reveal
that these are all illusions
our fantasy of how love should be
has absolutely no basis in reality
never able to meet our needs
words never match their deeds
where there is no respect or loyalty
they feed off power and control
yet we will sacrifice our soul
fearful yet loyal lying for them
deny or diminish their abuse
no wish to ever be a victim
ashamed to own our mistake
of mating with a damaged flake!
inspired by a documentary on DV, domestic family violence
in support of all those who protested today in the March 4 Justice
and dedicated to all who have suffered!
aroused 
Oh kate, education is a must…we need to educate our young ones..violence of any form is unacceptable and should never be tolerated.
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yes as a mother of four daughters it’s in your interest to eradicate violence … not so sure the mothers of sons have such a vested interest 😦
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Yes, kate that is another thing, mothers should educate their sons too about violence…or better yet set a good home example
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I applaud all men who do that!
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Many are walking to bring greater awareness of these issues. Your poem keeps the focus where it needs to be.
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much appreciated, we had a big protest here yesterday and our charming PM told the victims they were lucky to dodge a bullet … they felt violated for a second time!
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You nailed this one, Kate!
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It is a sad reality for those who wait on Love being the answer, and are unable to set boundaries that would actually bring the possible healing. I admire your strong powerful voice that brings this awareness.
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the partners they are entangled with would never allow boundaries … that is such a red flag!
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True.
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Powerful and strong words used, Kate and I completely agree with you. People who create violence and destroy the family life are not right in the head.
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This is such a problem. Well written
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Timely and true. As a woman, I have been fortunate to have never experienced domestic violence. But I’m in the minority. You have pointed out the grand deception that many women tell themselves – if I love more he will change, if I love better he will love me, if I persist in love he will become lovable… and then it is too late.
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Strong words, wisely spoken!
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This is so important, SweetKate! Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us!
Such powerful truth about such a sad ongoing tragedy in the human race.
We ALL need to be teaching (and positive-role-modeling)…letting the children of our world know that true love does not abuse.
(((HUGS)))
A fav quote I saw years ago…
“A woman should never invest in a relationship she wouldn’t want for her daughter, nor allow any man to treat her in a way she would scold her son for.”
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thanks for your ongoing support Carolyn … the first half of your quote resonates but seldom have I seen mothers scold their sons … this I believe is the root cause of the problem 😦
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There are some good moms who have THE important conversations with their sons and their sons become good men, husbands, fathers, etc. I know many. 🙂
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absolutely, not all men do this but even one is too many! These Moms really need to get involved with parents groups and pass on their methods … this would be an excellent start 🙂
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There is definitely too much DV in our communities.
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I wish I could turn it around, Kate. I’d wave a magic wand if I had one. Showing love and kindness is the only way to combat the opposite. Unfortunately not everyone is ready to heal or move on.
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that’s why I know education would be of a huge benefit, parents don’t always grasp the right end of the stick …
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Sadly, sometimes it’s not offered to them.
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I have no answers for those of flakey mistrust
My riverbed of pure sand, turned into dust
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‘desperate to believe our love will change them
bargaining to love more and heal’
So true. Assuming love will change them, it never does. A thought provoking poem. A topic people hesitate to talk about.
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This is so sad and unfortunately true. Most people who wreck violence upon their lives ones cannot be made to leave these violent tendencies. Great poem Kate.
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